“Looks like you need some practice kid!”  Kasey yelled.  Aiden turned to face her and stuck his tongue out.  “Let’s see you do better big mouth!”  He tossed the ball up to her as she stood at the tip of the bleachers.  The exchange had gained the attention of a few girls; Madison of course had noticed her as she walked through the doors.

Kasey spun the ball on the tip of her index.  “You really want me to put you to shame?”  She laughed, the ball still spinning.  Aiden nodded and stood back as Kasey gripped the ball.  He knew she could make the shot.  Before Kasey left they played basketball nearly everyday.  She was clueless until Aiden stepped in and helped her understand how to grip the ball, how to stand….you know, the basics.  She progressed quickly and Aiden was proud to have taught her.

Facing the nearest hoop she jumped straight up into the air and flicked the ball in direction of the backboard.  As expected the ball didn’t touch the backboard but slipped directly through the circle.  “Swish!”  She laughed, raising her arms victoriously.  The cheerleaders stood in awe as the basketball team cheered.  They had entered moments before Kasey took the shot and had gone unnoticed by Aiden.

“Ah, so it has come to pass.  The student defeats the master.”  Kasey hopped off the bleachers, walking toward her cousin.  “I don’t think so, I’m not going down that easy.” Aiden handed her the ball, challenging her.  Kasey shrugged and dribbled.  They smiled at each other, still unaware of the group that had formed in the gym.  “Let the games begin.”  Kasey faked to the right and bounced the ball between his legs and she circled him to the left.  She regained the ball as it bounced from beneath him and flew to the net, flicking the ball through the hoop.

“Ohhh, how sweet it is!”  She laughed.  “Convinced yet?”  She bounced the ball to Aiden who mimicked her dribbling pattern yet faked to the left and circled her right.  “And THAT is how it’s done!”  He replied as the ball bounced from the backboard and through the hoop.  “I’m going easy on you, remember that bro.”  Kasey twirled the ball between her hands as Aiden stood guard in front of her.